Table Of ContentFrankston City Council
Invasive Species Guide
Lifestyle Capital of Victoria
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge that we are situated on the traditional lands
of the Boon Wurrung and Bunurong people, this special place now known
by its European name, Frankston.
Photographs Mary Trigger (all photos unless otherwise attributed)
Elaine Shallue (ES), Mark Willams (MW).
Natureshare.org.au (CC by 2.5A) photographer credits: Russell Best (RB),
James Booth (JB), David Francis (DF), Kevin Sparrow (KS)
and Laurie Conole (LC).
Invasive Species Council photographer credits: Joe Scanlon (JS),
Julianne Farrell (JF) and Kirsty Faulkner (KF).
Museums Victoria photographer credits: Mark Norman (MN)
and Rodney Short (RS).
Disclaimer: Although precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy
of the information, the publishers, authors and printers cannot accept
responsibility for any claim, loss, damage or liability arising out of the use
of the information provided.
Cover image: Spear Thistle (Cirsium vilgare) by pexels.com
This publication is printed on environmentally friendly paper. 2019
Introduction 02
Methods of dispersal 05
Weed responsibility 06
Safety 07
Control methods 08
Get involved and learn 11
Invasive plant guide 12
Creepers and climbers 13
Lilies and bulbs 20
Herbs 24
Grasses and sedges 33
Small to medium shrubs 38
Large shrubs and trees 45
Invasive animal guide 51
Common plant name index 57
Further reading/ Useful websites 61
02
Introduction
What are invasive species?
When a plant or animal invades and thrives in an area
where they do not naturally occur, they are known as
an invasive species.
Morning Glory and Wandering Tradescantia
03
Australia is famed for its unique and have the potential to become an
diverse plants and animals, with invasive plant when grown outside their
80% found nowhere else in the natural area. For example, the Bluebell
world. However, the destruction and Creeper (Billardiera heterophylla) from
fragmentation of habitat and the Western Australia was sold as a popular
impact of invasive plants and animals ‘native plant’ that is now aggressively
has had a substantial impact on our invading bushland around Victoria.
rich biodiversity. Australia now has the
fastest rate of mammal extinction in Local plants can also be considered
the world and is number 10 for overall invasive when they proliferate and
species extinctions.¹ spread outside their normal habitat.
For example, Coastal Wattle (Acacia
Invasive plants can also be referred longifolia spp. sophorae) and Coastal
to as weeds, garden escapees or pest Tea-tree (Leptospermum laevigatum)
plants. They are a problem because are considered invasive in Frankston
they out-compete local plants for light, beyond the coastal region.
water and nutrients. In a short period
of time they can replace local plants
effectively removing the food source Invasive species
and habitat of the local fauna.
threaten our unique
Invasive plants can include ‘native’
natural environment.
plants that refers to any plant found in
Australia. Just like plants introduced
from another country, native plants
04
Invasive animals can also be
referred to as feral or pest
animals. They prey upon
indigenous fauna, compete
with indigenous animals
for resources such as food
and shelter and graze on
indigenous plant species.
(JS)
It is estimated that feral cats, for example, have had a
significant role in the extinctions of Australian native birds and
small mammals, with about 80 endangered and threatened
species currently directly at risk from feral cat predation.³
This guide has been developed to ¹ International Union for Conservation of
identify some of the most common Nature (2013).
invasive plants and animals in the
municipality and to provide control ² World Wildlife Fund ‘Jumping the
methods that will help in eradicating Garden Fence Report’ (2005).
the significant threat of invasive species
to our unique biodiversity. ³ Australian Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999).
Once you have identified an
invasive species on your property
you need to know what control
techniques to apply and when.
05
Methods of
Dispersal
Many current invasive species were originally introduced to
Australia, either accidently or intentionally for horticulture,
agriculture, forestry or the pet trade. They are successful
because of their adaptability to disperse widely and
reproduce rapidly and in large numbers. Some of the most
significant factors include the:
• Continued selling of invasive plants • Movement of contaminated soil and
and animals quarry products
• Dumping of garden cuttings and • Dispersal by wind or water
pets in bushland and waterways
• Disturbance of soil and vegetation
• Outdoor disposal of livestock feed
• Movement of machinery and
containing viable seeds or plant
vehicles
material
• Attachment to clothing and
• Weed/seed contamination of
footwear
nursery stock
• Occurrence of fire and drought
• Dispersal by animals, birds
which will impact on species.
and insects by consumption or
attachment
Dumped garden waste
06
Weed responsibility
All land managers are responsible for managing weeds
on their land, irrespective of whether the land is public or
privately owned. There are two main classes of weeds:
1.Noxious Weeds All land managers are responsible for
A Under the Catchment and Land taking all reasonable steps on their
Protection Act 1994 (CaLP Act) certain land to:
plants are declared as Noxious • eradicate Regionally Prohibited
Weeds in Victoria. These plants cause Weeds and
environmental and economic harm or • prevent the growth and spread of
have the potential to cause such harm. Regionally Controlled Weeds.
The CaLP Act defines four categories of
Declared Noxious Weeds: 2.Environmental Weeds
• State Prohibited Weeds These are plants that threaten native
vegetation. Landholders should make
• Regionally Prohibited Weeds
every effort to control these weeds on
• Regionally Controlled Weeds
their land and to prevent their spread
• Restricted Weeds to other areas. There are requirements
The Victorian Government is responsible under Frankston City Council Local
for eradicating State Prohibited Weeds. If Law 2016 no. 8 for the control of
you think you have seen a State Prohibited environmental weeds.
Weed, telephone Agriculture Victoria on
As land manager, it is important to
136 186. Please do not attempt to control
be able to identify and control all
or dispose of these weeds yourself.
weeds posing a threat to your land
Fines can apply if these weeds are not
or neighbouring land. Weeds don’t
controlled on your property.
observe property boundaries, so
coordinating weed management with
For information on State Prohibited,
your neighbours or participating in
Regionally Prohibited and Regionally
a Landcare Group will increase your
Controlled Weeds in the Port Phillip
chance of success, while spreading
and Westernport catchment
the benefits beyond your property.
visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au and
search ‘declared noxious weeds’.
07
Safety
Invasive plants can present very effective defence features
such as spines, thorns, toxins and allergens that produce
rashes and respiratory reactions. It is important to wear
gloves, long sleeved shirt and long plants, boots and safety
goggles.
Control of invasive plants
Removing weeds by hand can involve • contact - these destroy plant tissue
sharp secateurs, shears, knives, pruning at or near the point of contact (they
saw, mattock, spade, whipper snipper, do not spread around the plant),
mower, chain saw, crowbar, all potential and require even coverage in their
accidents waiting to happen if you application
become tired and dehydrated. Take care • systemic - these move through the
to rest, use sun protection and drink plant’s circulation system, and can
plenty of water as weed control can be be injected into the plant
tough (but rewarding!) work.
• residual - these can be applied to
Chemical control using herbicides the soil and destroy by root uptake.
should only be used when non-chemical They remain active in the ground
control is unsuitable, such as when for a certain length of time, and can
dealing with large infestations. control germinating seedlings.
In many cases, weeds are only When using herbicides:
susceptible to one specific herbicide, • Do not spray in high temperatures or if
and it is important to use the correct rain is forecast within 24 hours
product and application rate for control • Always read the label on the
of that particular plant. In most cases, product and following directions
plants must be actively growing to be for appropriate rates, safety
vulnerable to herbicide treatments. procedures, handling and storage
There are 5 types of herbicides: • Some chemicals require a
Chemical Users Permit.
• broad spectrum - these work on a
wide variety of weeds
Poisons Information Service
• selective - these work on a narrow
13 11 26
range of weeds
08
Control methods
Once you have identified an invasive species on your property
you need to know what control techniques to apply and when.
An integrated approach using different control techniques
at different stages of a species lifecycle is most effective. For
example, to control Sweet Pittosporum you need to hand pull
seedlings, cut and paint juvenile plants and drill and fill adult
plants. This guide will provide you with the appropriate control
techniques and the timing of actions for each species listed in
this guide.
Invasive plant control methods
Hand pull: ensure that the whole
plant, including the roots and bulbs, is
removed. It is often easier and causes
less disturbance after rain. A chisel
or trowel is useful for some species.
Effective for seedlings and small
infestations of grasses.
Solarisation: cover the area with black
plastic sheeting with buried edges for
a 4-6 week period before removing the
plastic. This allows the heat from the
sun to kill off the plants underneath.
Most effective in summer and for dense
infestations of invasive grasses and
herbaceous (non-woody) weeds.
